Today, Senator Felder, who has been fighting tirelessly for the needs of New York's tuition paying parents personally brought thousands of petitions in support of the Education Investment Tax Credit to both the Governor and New York State Assembly. These petitions were sent in by tuition paying parents throughout the State of New York as part of Senator Felder's efforts to ensure that the Assembly and Governor keep their promise and include EITC in the 2015-2016 budget.

In keeping with his commitment to increase funding and access to music and arts programs in New York City’s schools, Senator Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) welcomed the Edward R. Murrow High School Concert Band during their performance this week in Albany. The Edward R. Murrow High School is located in Senator Felder’s district, and is ranked as one of the top high schools in New York City.

A group of approximately 200 students from the Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion had an opportunity to see their government in action yesterday during a tour of the State Capitol hosted by Senator Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn).

A State Capitol tour guide accompanied the 8th and 9th grade boys and their chaperones through the Capitol’s museum, the Senate Chamber, the Executive Chamber (also known as the Red Room), the Hall of Governors, and the Flag Room, which displays over 1,000 different flags from various wars. The students also had a chance to pose for pictures with Senator Felder on the Million Dollar Staircase, which is made up of 444 steps.

Senator Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn), Chair of the New York City Education Subcommittee, and Senator Martin Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) have sponsored legislation which will create an education investment tax credit in New York State.

Bill number S4099-A will generate increased funding for education by enhancing existing tax benefits for charitable donations. The goal of the bill is to help public schools, non-profit organizations supporting public schools, and Pre-K programs. The bill also provides a tax credit to public and non-public school teachers for out-of-pocket school supply expenses, and assists many low- and middle-income families whose children attend private or religious schools and require scholarships.

With Atlantic Express Bus Company expected to close its doors on December 31, Senator Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn), Chair of both the New York City Education Subcommittee and the Children and Families Committee, is working with his colleagues, Assemblyman Dov Hikind and Councilman David Greenfield, to ensure a smooth transition for the more than 40,000 affected public and private school students. Atlantic Express, which declared bankruptcy in November, was responsible for over 1,600 bus routes, leaving children on those routes without a means of transportation as of January 2, 2014.